There are several ways to measure your vertical jump.
However, all the methods are similar and follow the same 5 step procedure.
Vertical Jump Measurement
1. Stand next to a wall with your strong side facing the wall.
- If you’re right handed, your right shoulder should be next to the wall, and vice versa.
2. Extend your arm and reach up as high as possible, marking the highest spot you can touch.
- This is your standing reach.
- You can apply ink or chalk on your fingertips to mark the spot or just have a friend put some tape on the wall marking off the highest point you can touch.
3. Without taking any steps, jump up from a standstill, reach as high up the wall as you can, and mark off the second spot.
- Mark this second spot with ink, chalk or tape like before.
4. Repeat the jump until you feel you have touched the highest point on the wall.
5. Subtract your standing reach from the height of the highest point you touched on the wall.
- This number will be your vertical jump.
- For example, if your standing reach is 7 feet and the highest point you touch on the wall is 10 feet, your vertical jump is 3 feet (36 inches) ——–> [ 10 feet - 7 feet = 3 feet ]
Shoes or No Shoes?
There is an argument as to whether standing reach should be measured with or without shoes on.
This is because wearing shoes will increase your standing reach from anywhere between 1 and 3 inches.
There is no right or wrong option, but for most tests, standing reach is measured with shoes on, because we play in shoes after all.
A Simpler Way To Measure Vertical Jump
Most high schools and colleges have a vertical jump measuring device that makes the whole process faster and simpler.
The device has an adjustable scale that makes it easier to measure your standing reach and highest point of touch. It is also calibrated and therefore makes calculating your vertical jump a breeze.
You also don’t have to worry about bumping into the wall and injuring yourself!
Tips & Tricks
1. Try to wear lightweight, tight fitting shoes when measuring your vertical jump.
- A great example is the Nike Free shoes. They are comfortable despite being tight and light in weight, and they also provide excellent cushioning.
2. Warm up and stretch before you measure your vertical jump.
- This will make your muscles loose and make you jump higher during the vertical jump test
3. Make sure you use the correct form to get the highest possible vertical jump score.
- Squat down, swing your arms and explode upwards, extending your strong arm (right or left) as high as you can and touch the highest point you can.
4. Use a great program like the Jump Manual to improve your vertical jump.
- Get updates and cool extras that I won't (or can't) share on this blog.
- Stay up to date on the latest vertical jump training tactics and strategies.
- Receive free special gifts, along with deals and discounts on the best training programs in the market.
May 29, 2009 at 10:02 pm
wow, thanks for that. Now i can measure my vertical
June 22, 2010 at 11:54 pm
hi mom!!! lolz
May 30, 2009 at 3:27 am
Yeah this is very helpful thankyou !
May 30, 2009 at 3:57 pm
do your feet have to be flat when u measure your reach?
May 30, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Yep, you should have your feet flat on the ground while you measure your reach – no tip-toeing!
June 1, 2009 at 1:45 am
I don’t have one of those advanced highschool verticle jump devices, at my school we just have a measuring board on a wall so I still have to hit the wall
.
July 7, 2009 at 3:26 am
wooooow i am jumping higher every week thatnks now i kno when am doing good
March 6, 2012 at 8:05 pm
im 15 and i have a 39″ vertical. i can barely dunk the ball
July 7, 2009 at 9:30 pm
check out my vertical on youtube, my screen name is azzlo907, the title is king of springs. leave me a comment.
July 8, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Wsup Azzlo. Just watched your vid. How tall are you? Did you windmill it or was I seeing my own things? Nice hops man.
July 8, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Im 5’9″ and yes it was a windmill. That was just a little practice.
July 20, 2009 at 8:49 am
haha man dan you the man
July 22, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Dam you are just too much. I can now measure my vertical jump and am doing just too good. Dan i must comfess you are fantastic. Kudos to you
July 27, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Some people say Drinking milk and eating bananas make you taller. And eating or drinking anything that has omega 3 makes you smarter and taller.
Is this true or have I done something wrong the past years.
July 28, 2009 at 6:24 am
What if I can touch the ceiling of my wall?
July 29, 2009 at 10:08 pm
You know the program jump manual? Jacob says you don’t reach your full potential until you reach your vertical to late 40 inches to early 50 inches. Does he mean your no step vertical or taking steps?
July 31, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Mint this is cool and very helpful
August 2, 2009 at 12:26 am
i already knew how to check my vertical, i go an inch over the rim.
November 17, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Thanks for the advise. But along with that i’ve only noticed a slight change in vertical.
December 6, 2009 at 5:09 pm
my vert has increased by 6in so from 13-19
December 6, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Congrats Caleb! What did you do to increase it?
December 7, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Hey Dan, if i do 100 calf raises and 20 weighted squats everyday for a month, how many inches will i gain?
December 9, 2009 at 10:11 am
Wsup Jimmy. I can’t really give you an answer because it will depend on a lot of things like training intensity, previous training experience, rest, recovery etc
December 8, 2009 at 12:40 pm
hey i just tried this and i have a 28.5 inch verticle and im 6’0 is that deacent cause i have been doing weight lifting with the basketball team 3 times a week and have been noticing a slight difference but i want to get to the 30′s or 40′s and i keep hearing about the jump manual but i don’t have any money or a good computer since im in a boarding school so im using the library’s computer and the jumpmanual is a program you download so can you help me out? it would be much appriciated thanks
– Cody
December 14, 2009 at 3:55 pm
wew man our team got it rough last night specially me i am 6′0 tall and the tallest man on our team and i had to try and stop this 6′6 giant who was dunking all over the place and i can barely get above the rim and he was throwin down whith both over the rim can you give me some ideas or things that will help me get above the rim? cause that was brutal haha thanks…
– Cody